The Local Church Podcast

Even though this episode is releasing a bit late (don't judge us)... it's (still) the third week of Advent. Advent means "coming" or "arrival,” and it’s a season in which we not only wait for the hope of Christmas and the coming of the Christ child but also a time in which we also look ahead to the new creation and wait with expectation for that day when all things are made new. Advent is a time in between. And we know that reality. This episode was produced by the holly, jolly Wes Frady. Thanks to Dana Trent for offering a Loving-Kindness meditation. Pre-order Dana's book, One Breath at a Time: A Skeptics Guide to Christian Meditation. For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org. Want to invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts? Give online here.

It's the second week of Advent. Advent means "coming" or "arrival,” and it’s a season in which we not only wait for the hope of Christmas and the coming of the Christ child but also a time in which we also look ahead to the new creation and wait with expectation for that day when all things are made new. Advent is a time in between. And we know that reality. This episode was produced by Santa's favorite, Wes Frady. Scripture referenced: Luke 3:1-16. For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. Beer & Carols, benefitting CORA and the Take and Eat Food Pantry is this Monday, December 17 at House of Hops, and we hope to see you there! Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org. Want to invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts? Give online here.

It's the first week of Advent. Advent means "coming" or "arrival,” and it’s a season in which we not only wait for the hope of Christmas and the coming of the Christ child, but a time in which we also look ahead to the new creation and wait with expectation for that day when all things are made new. Advent is a time in between. And we know that reality. Wes Frady sacrificed sleep to produce this episode, and we're so grateful. Scripture referenced: John 1:5, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13. For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. The Speakeasy is this Wednesday, December 5, and we hope to see you there! Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org. Want to invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts? Give online here.

In partnership with House of Hops and The Root Cellar in Pittsboro, North Carolina,The Speakeasy is an event for unfiltered spiritual conversation. At The Speakeasy, we gather to listen to one another, share stories, lift up those who are doing good work in our corner of the world, and cultivate community. As our guests share about their journeys of life and faith, we hope you’ll find intersections and parallels in your own life and for your own journey. And perhaps you’ll start to see God in places you didn’t before. This is the live audio from our first Speakeasy event held on Wednesday, October 24, 2018 and featured LaShauna Austria and Michelle Osborne from RAFI and The Chatham Social Justice Exchange. Intro and outro music: "Turning on the Lights" by Blue Dot Sessions. Special thanks to Wes Frady, the 🐐, for producing this podcast. For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. Local Tables are where the magic happens. Find yours here. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org. Want to invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help keep conversations like these flowing? Give online here.

It's Thanksgiving week — a time to gather and give thanks with those we love. Whether you're traveling or staying put, this season can kick up some stuff. Every family is different, and that's completely normal. Even better news: Jesus redefines family. This episode was produced by the LeBron James of podcasting production, Wes Frady. For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. Local Tables are where the magic happens. Find yours here. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org. Want to invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts? Give online here.

This episode dropped on Sunday, November 4. That day, churches across the community and around the world are celebrating All Saints' Sunday — remembering those who've died who nudged you, encouraged you, and helped you see God more clearly. But there are living saints, too. Scripture referenced: Philippians 1:3-7 Music used in this episode includes "Thoughtless" by Blue Dot Sessions and "Day by Day" by Joy Ike and The Porter's Gate. For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Give online and support the work God's doing through The Local Church here. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.

Halloween is this week, so we're talking about masks and hiding and vulnerability and Halloween costumes. What does it look like for us and what might it mean for our lives to risk relationship, take off our masks and be authentic with God and one another? Special thanks to the Rev. Jennifer Moxley for her participation in this week's episode. Jennifer is Associate Pastor at The Fun Church in Sikeston, MO. She's also the creative force behind @clergycollarproject on Instagram. Scripture referenced: John 3:1-21 Here’s Brené Brown’s TED Talk on shame and vulnerability. For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. Local Tables are where the magic happens. Find yours here. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.

What does it mean to be The Local Church? What does it look like? How is it embodied? In this episode, we dig into the fourth of our four core values: For. God has a dream that all of creation would be mended. It’s a dream that the poor are cared for, the hungry have enough to eat, violence gives way to peace, and everyone has belonging. It’s a dream of second chances, abundant grace, and lives lived fully. God invites us to help make that dream a reality, so we live generous lives — for one another, our community, and the world. Scripture referenced: James 1:22-25, 27 Here's the clip referenced of Bono losing his voice. For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. Local Tables are where the magic happens. Find yours here. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.

What does it mean to be The Local Church? What does it look like? How is it embodied? In this episode, we dig into the third of our four core values: With. The Rev. Greg Moore, Director of the Office of New Faith Communities for the North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, joins Brent to talk about what God as Trinity teaches us about the importance of withness. Want to dig into the idea of Trinity a bit more? Check out Richard Rohr's book The Divine Dance. This episode was produced by the inimitable, the original Wes Frady. Music used in this episode includes "Come As You Were" by Blue Dot Sessions. For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. Local Tables are where the magic happens. Find yours here. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.

What does it mean to be The Local Church? What does it look like? How is it embodied? In this episode, we dig into the second of our four core values: Inclusive, recalling that each and every person is created in the image of God. Period. Full stop. Read more from Peter Storey here. Nadia Bolz-Weber has a few great books, too — one called Pastrix and another called Accidental Saints. Scripture Referenced: Genesis 1:26-31; Acts 10:9-34 This episode was produced by the multi-talented Wes Frady. For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. Local Tables are where the magic happens. Find yours here. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.